No hoodies in bars during World Cup, police warn

Police have told owners of bars and entertainment centres that intend to air World Cup football matches to block fans wearing hoodies from accessing the premises. The World Cup football games, 2018, kicked off yesterday in Russia. Kampala Metropolitan Police commander Moses Kafeero, said criminals are likely to disguise their identity by wearing hoodies to carry out their activities.“Bar owners should not allow people with hooded jackets from accessing their premises,” Mr Kafeero said while giving security guidelines for World Cup football games at Police Headquarters in Kampala on Wednesday.In 2010, al-Shabaab terrorists carried out an attack at Kyadondo Rugby Club in Nakawa Division and Ethiopian Village Restaurant in Makindye Division as Ugandans were watching the World Cup finals. More than 70 people were killed and hundreds injured. Several attackers were prosecuted and convicted. Since then, government has prioritised security when World Cup matches are aired. Mr Kafeero said World Cup shows must be restricted to enclosures. “We expect those enclosures to have exit routes and proper lighting. Entertainment centre owners must make sure that all the fans are searched before accessing the showrooms to ensure that no one enters with a weapon,” he said. The deputy director of Counter Terrorism, Mr David Wasswa, said they have teams that are inspecting venues to ensure that there is total compliance with the guidelines. Mr Charles Ssebambulidde, the spokesperson of the Directorate of Traffic and Road Safety, said in previous World Cups, many motorists drink alcohol and drive, warning that this will not be allowed. “Our teams with breathalysers will be on the road to arrest drunk drivers. We shall detain them and later take them to court. I advise motorists not to drink beyond the allowed limit,” he said.

Museveni bans hoodies

The issue of hoodies came to light after gunmen wearing them shot dead Arua Municipality legislator Ibrahim Abiriga and his brother Saidi Buga Kongo at Kawanda in Wakiso District last week.Speaking at their burial, President Museveni said boda boda cyclists should not wear hoodies as a way of curbing ride-in shootings.